You can bet every wide receiver, tight end and running back who has faced the 49ers’ defense is most familiar with Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner. Those two tend to get up close and personal with opponents.

Goldson, 28, is a late bloomer who has raised his game to an All-Pro level this season. He has gotten there there by doing a lot of the things that Reed, 34, did in his prime at free safety. Goldson combines a hard-hitting style with a nose for takeaways—see his nine interceptions over the past two seasons.

Whitner, like Pollard, has become a well-rounded strong safety. Whitner was a pure run-support star with the Buffalo Bills, but the 27-year-old has been more active in coverage since signing with the 49ers in 2011.

Reed and Pollard have received attention for their physical play, but Goldson and Whitner have stood above everyone in the league by acing their basic responsibilities.

“Whitner and Goldson are the two best tackling safeties in the game,” said CBS analyst Bill Cowher, who coached linebacker-like safety Troy Polamalu with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “They’ve been able to transition in this now very limited area (of the body) where you can tackle and hit players.”

Cowher, who watched Reed up close during intense battles between the Steelers and Ravens, has seen a different Reed since the NFL began its crackdown on illegal hits. Pollard made a signature play in Baltimore’s AFC title run, a fumble-forcing head-to-head knockout of New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley. Reed has yet to make such a play.

“The one guy that’s had the hardest time transitioning into that is Ed Reed,” Cowher said. “We’ve seen him in these playoffs almost become a non-factor.”

Goldson admits that although he’s still hitting hard, he’s mindful of not crossing the line.

“It feels good to hit but it feels better when they get back up because I’m never trying to kill nobody,” Goldson said. “At the same time, I definitely want to have my presence felt.”

49ers cornerback Tarell Brown has taken notice of Goldson and Whitner's disciplined play, which has spread to the rest of the secondary.

“Those guys just want to go out there and do it the right way,” Brown said. “When you see guys hitting the right way and trying not to injure people, it makes the game fun and the game a lot cleaner.”

Goldson and Whitner also are vital to getting the 49ers’ back seven on the same page. In that respect, Whitner’s smarts are off the charts.

“He studies non-stop. He knows the defense in and out. He knows where guys are supposed to be and where they are not supposed to be,” Brown said. “The communication trickles down from the secondary to the D-linemen as well.”